Prayer-Hikes

Thanks to a visionary and persevering friend with a truck and a passion for the lost, I have been introduced to one of my favorite pastimes: prayer-hikes.  Every weekend we load up whoever’s available and strike out for a trail.  After the initial chatter of greetings and playing ‘catch-up’ we settle into a rhythm of walking and praying for whatever comes to mind—may be the nation, may be the church, may be our neighbors or ones we’ve just met… But always we pray, sometimes we sing, and always it is good to be together united in prayer and faith, celebrating this wide world of nature around us, rain or shine!
I commend the practice to you and whomever you are arm-linked with there. It is good.
Here are pictures from  a recent hike, this one was new for us and is part of the famed Sunshine Coast Trail system…









“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus, throughout all generations…I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called…eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Eph.3:20-4:3)

They toil not…

Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin…(Mt.6:28)


…bluebells and cockleshells…

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Nothing quite as refreshing as spending a bit of solitude in the beauty of nature marveling at the intricacies of God’s creative handiwork.  One weary afternoon this week, too pooped to putter in the garden any longer, I went up a little bluff of Scout and sat awhile…




I called this one “Lemon Chiffon” from the start, and that’s the name that has stuck in my mind…It’s one of the heralds of summer on the mountain.


It always amazes me to see the perfection of such minute wonders as these.  I very nearly stepped on this one…Is there any clearer evidence that God takes note of details?


These are nearly as tiny, but oh so original!


God is amazing and in His gallery of nature there is refreshment…

May you find His handiwork all around you this week and remember His ever present care in all the details of your days.


--LS

Blossoms

The hope of fruit to come…

Plum

Pear

Cherry

Apple

And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? Rom.8:23,24

In eager expectation of what’s to come,

--LS

Whose Artistry is this?

Honor and majesty are before Him; Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary. Psalm 96:6





His creations are splendid, His settings soothing, His attention to detail beyond comparison…

[Wild Currant in bloom]

Yet he tucks them away in little unseen crannies



and scatters them lavishly on untrodden hillsides



for only the mountain climber to notice. 

[tiny freckled ‘monkey flowers’]

when he chances to look down at his feet…

[Oregan grapes on the way…]

The ones with lesser glory He gives fragrance that fills the world with the scent of orange blossoms….



If this is how He ornaments His footstool, what must His residence be like?

One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the LORD
And to meditate in His temple. Psalm 27:4


--LS


“And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us” Ps.90:17